The Colorado Rapids in late May moved past the one-third point in their Major League Soccer schedule. It’s a completely arbitrary marker in the season — but a perfect time to address the state of things for Oscar Pareja’s crew.

The first-year coach has his team hovering at even on the MLS season, much like the same point last year. But unlike under former coach Gary Smith, Pareja’s side got here in a unique way. The Rapids last season went 4-3-5 in their first 12 games of the season. This year, they are 6-6-1 a baker’s-dozen games in.

The table, though, tells the real story. The all-or-nothing nature of Pareja’s attacking style means they no longer settle for ties.

But a 3-1 victory over the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies last week in the U.S. Open Cup notwithstanding, the Rapids have some issues to work out — namely a bad habit of starting games slow.

Just four of their 20 goals this MLS season have been scored in the first half — and two of those came the last time out, in a 3-2 win over Montreal.

“I really feel like we’re giving up too many first-half goals,” goalkeeper Matt Pickens said. “I talked to the defense about it. It’s just one of those things, like I don’t know the reason for it. Maybe it’s a matter of having to give 15 percent more effort.

Pickens ranks second in MLS in saves with 48. But the team often falls behind in the first half of games.

“It’s like once we’re down, we start playing better and harder. And that’s not the way to do it. We’re professionals. We have to do a better job early.”

Colorado midfielder Jaime Castrillon, the team’s scoring leader with four goals, said (through a translator):

“In the weeks to come, we have to rest and correct our errors. We need to not give up easy goals.”

Castrillon, looking at himself, added:

“And I need to improve. I need to get involved in the game more. I need to take possession of the ball and be more involved. I need to become one of the most important players on the field, helping my teammates.

Castrillon also leads the team in minutes played, with 1,112, having started in each of the team’s 13 games. But he’s often playing with different players — injuries have forced a near-constant shuffling of the Rapids’ formation.

“Yeah, it’s difficult (playing with different players),” Castrillon said. “But once you get into a game, you try to adapt.

“I came from a league that was more technical, but it was slower. I’ve had to adjust to the speed of the game here. But playing with different players, it’s normal when you play in the middle of the field.”

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